Flying disc toy, accessories and games

ABSTRACT

A flying disc toy of a size to be held between a user&#39;s bent finger and thumb. Said flying disc toy to be projected through the air when the user rapidly extends the bent finger. The flying disc toy generally has a hollow cavity on the underside between a top wall joined at a joining edge to a descending wall. The flying disc toy may be combined with various accessories such as gloves, targets, and bats to play one or more games.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/448,588 filed on Mar. 2, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy and games, and more particularly,to a flying disc toy and accessories for its use in various gamesinvolving one or more players.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary component of the present flying disc toy and game invention isa flying disc. The flying disc is of a size to be held between a bentfinger and thumb, and to then be projected through the air by the userrapidly extending the finger. This action and manner of projecting theflying disc through the air is known as “flicking”. The flying discgenerally has a hollow cavity on the underside between a top wall joinedat a joining edge to a descending wall.

The flying disc may be constructed with particular variations of shape,size, weight, and mass distribution that will affect the disc's flyingperformance. Depending upon the particular shape, size, weight and massdistribution of the flying disc, when flicked it may be able to travelstraight and far, slow or fast, follow a curved path, make sounds as ittravels, etc . . . . In a preferred embodiment of the disc, it has a topwall with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top wall is joined ata joining edge with a substantially congruent vertical descending wallwhich has an outer surface and inner surface. There is a hollow cavitylocated between said bottom surface and said inner surface.

It is also contemplated that the flying disc may contain a decoration orcharacter on one or more of its surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, forexample, the flying disc would be decorated with a representation of atype of bee or wasp.

It is also contemplated that the flying disc may be used with one ormore accessories. For example one or more types of catching gloves maybe used for the pass and catch game described herein. One or morevariations of a flying disc storage apparatus, such as a belt holster orforearm mounted quick release, may be used for holding and dispensingmultiple flying discs. A wearable target is contemplated for use incombat games.

In a first preferred embodiment the flying disc game is used in a passand catch game involving at least two players. In a game of pass andcatch, players pass the flying disc back and forth through the air usingthe aforementioned flicking action. Depending upon the particularconfiguration of the disc, and the flicking action used by the players,the disc can be made to rise, drop, curve, move faster or slower, etc .. . during flight. It is contemplated that in the game of pass and catchthe players may use gloves that are specially designed for use with theflying disc as explained in greater detail below.

In a second preferred embodiment the flying disc game is a test of thetargeting skills of the players using one or more stationary or movingtargets.

In a third preferred embodiment of a targeting “golf” game there aremultiple targets spread across an area, or a “course”, which may beindoors or outdoors. The object of the game is for one or more playersto proceed through the course and, starting from a predetermineddistance away from each target, hit the target with the flying discusing the least number of flicks.

In a fourth preferred embodiment the flying disc game involves the useof a bat, where a player flicks the flying disc towards another playerhaving a bat who attempts to hit the flying disc with the bat.

In a fifth preferred embodiment the flying disc game is a team-pass gameusing one or more goal markers to define a goal or end zones, such as infootball. There are two teams, with each team having at least twoplayers. The object of the game is for a team to get the flying discinto the opposing team's end zone. This must be done by flicking theflying disk to a team member in the end zone. The game rules mayrestrict the movement of a player when in possession of the flying disc,and provide for transfer of disc possession to the other side in case ofincomplete or out of bound passes of the flying disc.

In a sixth preferred embodiment the flying disc game is a combat gameinvolving at least two players. Each player wears at least one target,preferably in the form of a vest, and the object of the game is forplayers to knock opposing players out of the game by successfullyflicking a flying disc such that it strikes a target on an opposingplayer.

The characteristics and features of the invention are further describedin detail below with the accompanying drawings, which represent one ormore exemplary embodiments of the flying disc and associated games.After considering these examples, persons of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that variations may be made without departing from thebasic invention disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top side perspective view of a flying disc used in the games.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a flying disc used in the games.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a flying disc used in the games.

FIG. 4 is a bottom side perspective view of a flying disc used in thegames.

FIG. 5 is top view of a flying disc held in the ready position forflicking.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a stationary target with multiple “hot spots”.

FIG. 7 is a front view of multiple pivoting stationary targets.

FIG. 8 is a front view of collapsible target with a mesh net.

FIG. 9 is a top side perspective view of a bat.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a playing field for a team-pass game.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a free finger style glove with a barrier.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a free finger style glove with a barrier.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a mitt style glove with a pocket to hold anextra disc.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an index finger-thumb only glove.

FIG. 15 is a view of textured finger tips for a free finger style glove.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an across-chest flying disc storageapparatus.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a waist belt flying disc storageapparatus.

FIG. 18 is a top view of a quick release disc holder with forearmstraps.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a wearable target vest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 5thereof, a detailed description will be made of a preferred embodimentof a flying disc 10. The flying disc is a small disc to be positionedbetween a bent finger 20 and a thumb 30 on a person's hand 40, and thenejected or “flicked” when finger 20 moves from a bent position to anextended position. See FIG. 5. Flying disc 10 generally has a top wall50 which is joined to a descending wall 60 at a joining edge 70. Topwall 50 has a top surface 80 and a bottom surface 90. Descending wall 60has an outer surface 62 and an inner surface 64. In a preferredembodiment there is a hollow cavity 85 on the underside of flying disc10 located between bottom surface 90 and inner surface 64. In apreferred embodiment of top wall 50, there is a flat inner centralportion 100 and an outer peripheral portion 110. Inner central portion100 is at a height above joining edge 70 and outer peripheral portion110 generally slopes down to joining edge 70. Outer peripheral portion110 may have a convex curvature between inner central portion 100 andjoining edge 70, or it may slope down in discrete steps. Top wall 50 canalso be completely flat. Top surface 80 may have tactile texturefeatures, such as raised ridges 120 in the form of circular rings onouter peripheral portion 110. Descending wall 60 may also have tactiletexture features on outer surface 62 to increase grip-ability, ordescending wall 60 can be made with a material that has a higher levelof friction when compared to the rest of flying disc 10 for the samereason. Flying disc 10 may be made of plastic, foam or any othermaterial and should be between 0.25-5.0 inches in diameter. There mayalso be a slight flange or lip on inner surface 64 of descending wall 60located distal from joining edge 70. This feature has aerodynamicproperties but may also serve as a means to connect the disc into astorage apparatus.

Flying disc 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is merely an exemplary embodiment.Discs of other forms may include characteristics and features, forexample, of being glow in the dark, different colors, lighted up (LED,battery powered), holes in top wall 50 and/or descending wall 60, onethat is flat (with no descending wall), one that has a fixed fan bladein place of the center section (to make the disc rise when flicked), onethat whistles when flicked, one that expands in flight and contractsupon reaching target, one that makes a sound when it hits something, onethat floats in water, various sizes and weights (i.e. smaller diameterfor smaller hands, etc.), one disc that is made of multiple materials(i.e. plastic and rubber), and different logos or designs on the disc(i.e. sports teams, corporate logos, characters, etc.).

A first preferred embodiment of using the flying disc in a game is in apass and catch game. In a game of pass and catch, players may standopposite one another and flick the flying disc back and forth, takingturns catching and flicking. Players can also use trick shots that makethe disc rise, drop, curve, move faster or slower, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 11-15, it is contemplated that in a game of pass andcatch players may use gloves that are specially designed to catch theflying disc. Such a glove 130 may, for example, have a barrier 140between a thumb sleeve 150 and index finger sleeve 160. See FIGS. 11-14.Barrier 140 may be, for example, made of soft mesh webbing. Glove 130may, for example, be made out of a soft fabric material (like aconventional baseball glove) and the outside of glove 130, such as glove130 finger tips, could have a textured surface 180 to add grip for easycatching. See FIG. 15. Each finger may have its own sleeve 190 as partof glove 130 and the finger sleeves 190 can be connected to form a“mitt.” See FIG. 13. Gloves can also have individual finger sleeves190that allow for fingers to move independently. See e.g. FIGS. 11-12. Aglove 130 could have a different theme or character printed on it. Glove130 can come in various different sizes. A surface of glove 130 couldhave a pocket 170, perhaps made of a flexible stretch material, to storeone or more flying discs 10. See FIG. 13. Glove 130 and flying discs 10may be available for purchase individually as well as in a set. A setcould, for example, include two gloves 130 and three flying discs 10.

A second preferred embodiment for using flying disc 10 is in a game thattests the targeting skills of the players using at least one target 200placed at a distance from a player. A target 200 may be stationary ormoving. Two or more players can get together and play a game in whichplayers stand opposite one another and each player has a target 200.Each player, or team of players, takes turns flicking flying disc 10 atthe opposing player's or team's target 200. Players may for example eachget to flick three (or some other number of) times per turn. A target200 may consist of several “hot spots” 210 that when hit will flip overor change color. See FIG. 6. The first player or team to hit all of theopposing player's “hot spots” 210 wins the game.

It is contemplated that in one embodiment of the target game set therewould be included two targets 200 and six flying discs 10. Flying discs10 and targets 200 can be glow in the dark and/or electrically lit fornight or low light scenarios. There can be built in speakers in a target200 and there can be customized sound and lighting effects that aretriggered during game play. As with all of the flying disc toy gamescontemplated and set forth as examples herein, the flying discs 10 andany accessories (e.g. gloves 130, targets 200, etc . . . ) can also beglow in the dark and/or electrically illuminated.

It should be noted that there are many different types and variations ofpotential target practice contemplated. For example, one contemplatedembodiment is a set that could include five targets 200 and twentyflying discs 10, with ten flying discs 10 being one color (for example:Black on Yellow) and ten flying discs 10 being another color (forexample: Yellow on Black). A target 200 can be different sizes and canhave a support member 210 which may be moveable to adjust the height orangle of target 200. Each target 200 could have a point value associatedwith it. It is up to the user to get creative with setting up thetargets 200. A multiplayer game can be played where players each shoottheir flying discs 10 into targets 200. The player with the most pointswins. The game can also be played individually, with one player flickingvarious flying discs 10 to accumulate points. Such an individual playercould keep practicing to try and improve their skill and score.

Another contemplated version of target practice involves a target strip220 that has multiple standing targets 200 that are lined up in a rowand can pivot down and back when hit with the flying disc 10. See FIG.7.

In another contemplated version of target practice players use a targetlauncher that shoots moving targets into the air. The target launchercould be either hand powered or electric. All targets 200, whetherstationary or moving, may have lights and sounds that correspond to gameplay.

In a third preferred target gaming embodiment the flying disc is used ina type of golf where multiple targets 200 are spread across an area, ora “course”, which may be indoors or outdoors. The object of this game isfor one or more players to proceed through the course and, starting froma predetermined distance away from each target 200, hit the target 200with the flying disc 10 using the least number of flicks. Game playwould be similar to golf in that the object is to get the disc into thetarget 200 in the least amount of flicks. A game set may, for example,include nine targets 200 (“holes”), several flying discs 10, scorecards,and pencils. Each target “hole” 200 could be a fold out target with amesh net 230 to receive a flying disc. See FIG. 8. Such a fold outtarget 200 can be angled according to the preference of the players. Theentire game could be fully portable and it would be up to the players toget creative with setting up each target (“hole”) 200. It can be playedboth indoors and outdoors. It is contemplated that the flying disc 10should be properly flicked and not be tossed or lobbed into a target(“hole”) 200. It is further contemplated that game sets can be differentcolors.

An alternative use for the contemplated target golf set embodiment wouldbe a target practice game in which players can set up the “holes” astargets 200 in a given space, each target 200 could have a differentpoint value assigned to it (closer holes=less points). Players each havea set of several flying discs 10, and each set is a different color. Theplayers all shoot from the same location and flick the flying discs 10into the various targets (“holes”) 200. The player that gets to apredetermined amount of points, or scores the most points, in the timeallotted wins.

In a fourth contemplated embodiment of the flying disc game there is abatting game in which the flying disc 10 is flicked (e.g. “pitched”) toa batter who hits it with a specially designed bat 240. See FIG. 9. Thebat 240 could have a flat surface that somewhat resembles a cricket batbut with a foam textured/rubberized surface to improve the ability tohit the flying disc 240. Game play can be similar to baseball but canalso have qualities that are unique and not shared with baseball orcricket. The “baseball set” could include a bat 240, two gloves 130,three flying discs 10 and a set of four honeycomb shaped bases. All ofthese items could be packaged separately or as a set. There is even anoption for a catcher's mitt glove 130 that is designed for a catcher.See FIG. 13. Pitchers could have storage apparatus 250 that holdsmultiple flying discs 10 that have various functions (i.e. curve, fast,slow, small, heavy, light, illuminated, even flying discs 10 that arecapable of making buzzing and whistling sounds when flown, etc.) SeeFIG. 16. These flying discs 10 can all be used within the baseball likegame, but can also be provided separately and used within the context ofany related flying disc games.

Referring to FIG. 10, in a fifth preferred embodiment a flying disc gameis a team-pass game using a defined game area 35 with end zones 36. Apackaged team-pass game may come with eight goal markers for marking outtwo end zones (font, back, left, and right markers for each end zone)and three flying discs. Gloves are suggested but not required. Teams canhave, for example, between two and twelve players per side, althoughthere is no limit. In a preferred exemplary embodiment the field of play35 should be at least twenty feet by ten feet (with four or five footend zones). See FIG. 10. It is also contemplated that the field may beas large as 150 feet by 50 feet with 25 foot end zones. There is norequired specific size for the field.

The object of the team-pass game is to score points by successfullypassing the flying disc 10 to a fellow team player in the opposing endzone 36. Under the contemplated rules the flying disc 10 would not bepermitted to be carried into the end zone 36, but must be passed.Players could only take two steps while in possession of the flying disc10 and must pass it to a team member within twenty seconds or elsepossession of the flying disc is turned over to the opposing team. Anypass that is not caught, dropped on reception or during possession, ifthe pass is blocked, intercepted or not caught, or if the flying disc 10is thrown out-of-bounds and does not come back in-bounds, will alsoresult in loss of possession to the other team. Defensive players mustremain an arm's length away from an offensive player in possession ofthe flying disc. The game ends when the clock runs out or when a teamreaches a designated score. The team with the most points at the end ofthe game or the team to reach the designated score wins. The durationand designated score is up to the discretion of the players but must bedetermined before game play begins.

In a sixth preferred embodiment a flying disc game is a combat gameinvolving at least two players. Each player has at least one wearabletarget 260 attached to them, preferably in the form of a vest that isworn. See FIG. 18. The object of the game is for players to knockopposing players out of the game by successfully flicking a flying disc10 such that it strikes a wearable target 260 on an opposing player. Awearable target 260 can have an impact indicator that responds to hitsby a flying disc 10 with various lights and sounds. It is contemplatedthat in a preferred embodiment a combat game would be packaged withsafety glasses, at least one wearable target 260 vest, and at least oneflying disc 10.

It is also contemplated with the present invention that there can be awearable storage apparatus 250 for flying discs 10. The wearable storageapparatus has a wearing means 252 with at least one receiving mechanism256 for holding a flying disc 10. In one contemplated embodiment awearable storage apparatus 250 is in the form of a holster strap wherethe wearing means 252 is an over the shoulder and across the chest strapthat has multiple flying disc receiving mechanisms 256 for holding manyflying discs 10 at once. Wearing means 252 may also be a waist beltconfiguration. See FIG. 16. The flying disc receiving mechanism 256 ineither version holds the disc in place. Flying disc receiving mechanism256 can, for example, be a small pouch. It can also be a circular discthat is made of a resilient material so that when a user pushes a flyingdisc 10 onto it, it will contract slightly, allowing hollow cavity 80 ofthe flying disc 10 to fit over it, after which point the resilientmaterial can expand slightly. This can keep the flying disc 10 in placeuntil it is ready to be removed. This storage apparatus design couldallow for more rapid access to a supply of flying discs 10.

It is also contemplated with the present invention that there can be acartridge-like storage apparatus 280 that can be strapped onto theforearm. See FIG. 17. This storage apparatus 280 can store extra flyingdiscs 10 and can have an eject mechanism incorporated into it that whenengaged will allow for the release and ejection of a flying disc 10 fromthe storage apparatus 280. The storage apparatus 280 can be positionedon the forearm so that when the flying disc 10 is released and ejected,it shoots out directly into the hand of the user. Storage apparatus 280can also be made to function with one hand only, thereby giving the useran option of using one on each arm. This could allow for rapid and easyaccess to stored flying discs 10.

It is also contemplated that the flying disc 10 may contain a decorationor character on one or more of its surfaces. In one exemplary embodimentthe flying disc 10 may be decorated with a representation of a type ofbee or wasp. Such flying discs may be referred to as mini-bees, as theyare relatively small and not unlike a bee in that fact. It also fliesthrough the air like bees do. There are many interesting types of beesthat can be used as unique ways to expand a product line of the presentinvention, from an original mini-bee to a whole “swarm” of discs so tospeak. For example there could be a mini-bee “hornet” disc with its ownhornet character, colors and personality. There is a long list of beeswith their own unique character that could make for a greatly expandedproduct line. To name a few as examples: yellow jacket, carpenter bee,queen bee, wasp, killer bee, and so on. Shapes, sizes and performancecan differ as well in relation to the actual differences in shape, sizesand performance of real bees. Each bee would be a unique (cartoon)character essentially and users will be able to choose the bee that ismost attractive to them. For example, there could be twelve differentmini-bee characters, all slightly different, all with their own uniqueabilities and appearance. Players could collect them all.

1. A flying disc toy of a size to be held between a bent finger and athumb comprising: a top wall with a top surface and a bottom surface; adescending wall with an outer surface and an inner surface; said topwall joined to said descending wall at a joining edge; and a hollowcavity located between said bottom surface and said inner surface. 2.The flying disc toy of claim 1 further comprising said top surfacehaving a tactile texture.
 3. The flying disc toy of claim 2 furthercomprising said tactile texture being at least one raised ridge.
 4. Theflying disc toy of claim 1 further comprising said top surface having aflat inner central portion at a height above said joining edge; an outerperipheral portion of said top surface surrounding said inner centralportion; and said outer peripheral portion sloping downward to join saidjoining edge.
 5. The flying disc toy of claim 4 further comprising saidouter peripheral portion having a convex curvature between said innercentral portion and said joining edge.
 6. The flying disc toy of claim 4further comprising said outer peripheral portion having at least onediscrete stepped edge between said inner central portion and saidjoining edge.
 7. A pass and catch flying disc toy kit comprising: atleast one flying disc toy as claimed in claim 1; and at least one glove.8. The pass and catch flying disc toy kit of claim 7 further comprisingsaid at least one glove having a barrier between a thumb sleeve and anindex finger sleeve of said glove.
 9. The pass and catch flying disc toykit of claim 7 further comprising: said at least one glove having atleast one flying disc storage pocket.
 10. A flying disc toy target kitcomprising: at least one flying disc toy as claimed in claim 1; and atleast one target.
 11. The flying disc toy target kit of claim 10 furthercomprising said at least one target having a moveable support member.12. The flying disc toy target kit of claim 10 further comprising saidat least one target being collapsible.
 13. A flying disc toy batting kitcomprising: at least one flying disc toy as claimed in claim 1; and atleast one bat.
 14. The flying disc toy batting kit of claim 13 furthercomprising at least one base.
 15. A flying disc toy team game kitcomprising: at least at least one flying disc toy as claimed in claim 1;and at least one goal marker.
 16. A flying disc toy combat game kitcomprising: at least at least one flying disc toy as claimed in claim 1;and at least one wearable target.
 17. The flying disc toy combat gamekit of claim 16 further comprising: said at least one wearable targethaving an impact indicator.
 18. A wearable storage apparatus for theflying disc toy of claim 1 comprising: a wearing means; and at least oneflying disc toy receiving mechanism attached to said wearing means. 19.The storage apparatus for the flying disc toy of claim 18 furthercomprising a flying disc toy ejection mechanism.
 20. The storageapparatus of claim 18 further comprising the wearing means being a belt.